A FESTIVAL of all things Welsh was held at the weekend – far away from the green, green grass of home in Oregon, USA.

The North American Festival of Wales is an annual weekend-long celebration of all things Welsh, and featuring among this year’s jam-packed programme of seminars, folk-dancing and concerts were two of Rhondda Cynon Taff’s own superstars.

Rhondda diva Iris Williams had her story broadcast to the American and ex-pat festival-goers as part of the Cinema Wales programme, alongside Taff Ely legend Sir Tom Jones.

Iris’ Story, The Time of My Life, documented the top Tonyrefail recording star’s life after she was orphaned as a child, while 2010’s Tom Jones, a Boy from Ponty, looked back on his life as he turned 70.